sketch

1 of 2

noun

ˈskech 

1

a

: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study

b

: a tentative draft (as for a literary work)

2

: a brief description (as of a person) or outline

3

a

: a short literary composition somewhat resembling the short story and the essay but intentionally slight in treatment, discursive in style, and familiar in tone

b

: a short instrumental composition usually for piano

c

: a slight theatrical piece having a single scene

especially : a comic variety act

sketch

2 of 2

verb

sketched; sketching; sketches

transitive verb

: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of

intransitive verb

: to draw or paint a sketch

sketcher noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cartoon
• delineation
• drawing

Verb

• define
• delineate
• outline
• silhouette
• trace

Examples of sketch in a Sentence

Noun

He made a sketch of his house.

He wrote up a sketch of the plot.

There is a biographical sketch of the author on the book's back cover.

Verb

He sketched the trees outside his window.

He likes to sit outside and sketch.

She sketched the plan for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Eugene had previously won two Emmys for his writing on the Canadian sketch comedy SCTV Network in 1982 and 1983. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 15 Sep. 2024

This is quite the break for up-and-coming comedy performers Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline who will get to join NBC’s venerable late-night sketch program Saturday Night Live for its milestone 50th season that will be marked by celebrations, reunions and high profile guests. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2024

Verb

Thanga and his team have sketched a system that would use solar panels and batteries to provide the power to push temperatures inside a lava tube down to the deep freeze needed to create their lunar ark. —Ayurella Horn-Muller Syris Valentine, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2024

While Kelly wouldn’t detail the vetting process, others have sketched out at least part of why Harris may have chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over Kelly and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch schets, from Italian schizzo, literally, splash, from schizzare to splash, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1694, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing sketch

• sketch in
• sketch pad
• thumbnail sketch

Kids Definition

sketch

1 of 2 noun

ˈskech 

1

a

: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene

b

: a rough draft (as of a story)

2

: a brief description or outline

3

: a short comedy piece

sketch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of

2

: to draw or paint a sketch

sketcher noun